On this page:

• Heritage Month Celebrations
  
  • Hispanic Heritage Month (15 SEP - 15 OCT)
    • 2010 - Keynote Speaker, Rosa Clemente
      
  • American Indian Heritage Month
    • 2009 - Piscataway Indian Nation Dancers
      
  • Black History Month
    • Community Invitation (.doc)
    • Flier (.pdf)
    • "Road to Freedom" video
      
  • Women's History Month (MAR)
    • Phenomenal Women's Luncheon
      
  • Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month (MAY)

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Sankofa Mentoring Program

Kwanzaa Celebration

The African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits," Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa is a way of life; not just a celebration. As a living social practice, it is a week of actual remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing.

McDaniel College hosts its annual Kwanzaa Celebration the first Sunday of December. The program honors the principles of Kwanzaa. A Karamu (Kwanzaa Feast) is served and a Zawadi gift exchange takes place. For more information about Kwanzaa, visit the official website at http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

In coordination with the national holiday observing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the ODMA continues to develop innovative programming to remember the life, celebrate the achievements, and act upon the legacy of Dr. King. Programs are often collaborative efforts with the participation of community agencies, students, and academic or administrative offices of the College.

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Multicultural Leaders Banquet

This banquet honors seniors who have displayed outstanding leadership and service to multicultural awareness on campus throughout the course of their four years as McDaniel students. In addition, one graduating senior among those being honored, and one faculty member are chosen to receive awards that recognize their efforts in promoting diversity and multicultural awareness. Graduating seniors are also asked to leave an item of special significance as a symbolic representation of their accomplishments and growth. The items are, then maintained in a time capsule for alumni to reminisce during homecoming or other visitations.

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Phenomenal Women's Luncheon

In honor of the Women's History Month in March, the ODMA and Women's Issues Group sponsors the Phenomenal Women's Celebration to encourage individuals to nominate various women who deserve a special recognition for their achievements and contributions to the campus. The selected women encompass members of McDaniel's College Community consisting of students, faculty, and staff. Once nomination are submitted, the ODMA and WIG host an annual luncheon to acknowledge 30 of McDaniel College 's Phenomenal Women. Among the activities  of the luncheon, previously honored phenomenal women offer words of inspiration and support to current honorees.

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Diversity Week

After thawing from the winter chill, the first or second week of April are celebrated as Diversity Week at McDaniel College. The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with various student organizations and academic departments, sponsors an array of programming to increase awareness and appreciation of diversity on McDaniel's campus. Diversity Week activities have included guest speakers Manute Bol, Helaine Gitomer, and performances by Step Afrika, Sangmele, Music From China, and Faces of America, and spoken word/theatrical artist Quique Aviles.

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Multicultural Prospective Student Weekend

The activities of Multicultural Student Weekend are designed to give selected prospective students an overnight experience and opportunity to interact with students at McDaniel College as they prepare for their final decision making process. Prospective students visit the campus for the weekend to gain first-hand knowledge of what the campus offers multicultural students. In preparation, OMS gathers volunteers to make follow-up phone calls, oversee the registration process, take pictures of weekend events and visitors, and to coordinate the unity games. Current students volunteer to host visiting high school students, and to facilitate many of the events of the weekend.

Upon arrival, students are presented with an itinerary of events. After a brief orientation, visitors participate in an array of activities that introduce them to college life. The following day, after joining their hosts for breakfast,prospective students attend classes that they have pre-selected, enjoy a catered lunch, engage in open and frank discussions with a panel of current students about their experiences on campus, and then prepare to return home to share with family and friends what they learned from their visit to our campus.